Our Job is Not to Create Masterpieces

I love the idea of the masterpiece. The idea that a person, with one creation, can contribute something of incredible artistic value. So valuable that it elevates the medium, and (in a way) the world itself. Valuable to the community, yes. But more importantly, valuable to the artist.

That’s the dream! Completing your highest ambition and then retiring with satisfaction to a grateful world. (Kinda like what Thanos did with those Infinity Stones. )

But despite the heavy emphasis on “the artiste lyfe” in my posts, I acknowledge that getting too caught up in your work is a thing. There’s a limit at which people can focus on career before the rest of their life is adversely affected. And it’s not just spending extra hours at the canvas. It’s when identity, and self-worth is closely tied with the “masterpiece” that things get dangerous.

Email Reply

About a year ago, one of my pen pals was feeling creatively overwhelmed. Distraught, she asked for advice on finding time and inspiration to tackle a multitude of very ambitious art ideas.

I sensed she had a couple “masterpieces” occupying her mind. The following is my email response:

Heya (….)!

I’m sorry you’re having trouble with managing your ideas. I have the exact same challenges right now (except it relates more to do w/ the many ideas I have for the Smash Bros series). It feels like my best ideas will never come out and I have to settle for options that are so ordinary and not-so-special. It makes me want to quit sometimes.
I think many artists and writers bump into this. That’s why I like to read quotes from great artists, one of them going like this:

“Our job [as artists] is not to create masterpieces, but instead, piece together a master.”

I really love this quote because it means we must focus not on releasing amazing, beautiful art, but rather, becoming better and better at what we do. It is a very happy feeling to see improvement, because it means that we have a chance at becoming a master. So focusing on small improvements makes it easier to deal w/ my ideas.

I am more okay with letting go of my coolest ideas if they are out of my skill level, since “it is my job to become a master, not to release masterpieces.” 
Ordinary, small ideas (ugly ducklings I call them) that I can make beautiful are what I must go for. You can still brainstorm and allow your imagination to generate ideas, but put time into your small stories (1-2 month long projects). [Our ambitious projects] can wait. Even if it fades away, we can always bring it back. Dreams don’t really go away, they just go into hibernation. Treat them gently, and let them wake up when the time is right. In the meantime, slowly master your skills. 

This doesn’t only apply to art and writing! As we aim to become masters, we are really aiming to become high quality people. For example, I am trying to become more honest, financially secure, and courageous in my every day life. Art is my passion, but my life is more than just passion. Good, high-quality people aim to master all aspects of life, not just their art. Your relationships, career, health, and family need creative solutions just as much as your writing.

So I encourage you to see yourself as a master in training.

As a writer not with a bunch of crazy cool ideas, but rather as an amazing person who will be able to write enjoyable stories for others.

Thank you so much for writing to me, it really allows me to feel free to put my thoughts into words. 
You are helping me become a master by being a pen-pal. I hope my advice helps you improve just as well.

Good luck,

-Gildedguy

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